Argentina

Minimum age

Departs

Duration

Roles Available

Volunteering in Argentina offers the opportunity to experience the Latin way of life, working with passionate and enthusiastic Argentinians across some very different placements. Whether teaching English to students in private schools or language institutes, or caring for children and young adults in children’s homes and residential centres, volunteers will be exposed to an incredible and diverse country.

Placement Roles

English Teaching

English Teachingplacements may be in fee-paying schools for both primary and secondary levels, or at private language institutes for children aged from ten through to adults. English is considered to be a very valuable language to learn and volunteers use their conversational English skills to assist and support both teachers and students in the classroom. Classes at the institutes are run during the day and evening, and often volunteers assist with some evening classes.

School Assistant

School Assistant placements are based in top private schools. You will provide support to kindergarten or primary teachers and assist the children with their English. These placements are ideal for those interested in working with children or thinking of pursuing a career in teaching.

What to expect?

What to expect?

The specific nature of your role in your placement will largely depend on which institution you are based in. On arrival at your placement, you will be advised on the details of your role and responsibilities and you will have the opportunity to establish exactly what your host expects from you. Our volunteers in northern Buenos Aires, for example, work in one of Argentina’s top bilingual schools with children ranging from primary school age through to years 11 and 12.

In Latin America, many parents send their children to bilingual schools in order to give them a full exposure to a foreign language from a young age, and so as native English speakers you will be highly valued within the school. Typically, volunteers work from 8am-4.15pm and duties can include assisting teachers in class with written and oral activities, helping to prepare educational materials, replacing the teacher in the event of absence, helping in the organisation of extracurricular activities such as concerts, supervising lunch and break-times and accompanying children on school trips.

Accommodation

Volunteers usually stay with a host family or on site of their community placement. Host families may expect the volunteer to integrate and contribute to family life – but we feel like this is the best way to enjoy the experience and really adapt to living in the local community!

Food

Despite the fact that Argentina is a big meat producing country, vegetarians have always managed without any problems. Both accommodation and food are provided by the host.

Is it for me?

If you are looking for a new cultural experience and can adapt to the slower pace of life, then a rewarding time awaits. You will need to show flexibility and initiative and in turn, you will have the chance to develop your Spanish and build strong ties with your hosts.

Need to know

Pre departure briefing – all volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure

Language – some placements require a good standard of spoken Spanish – this is essential for community placements

On arrival – volunteers attend a two-day orientation in Buenos Aires and undertake a teaching skills course if required.

Free Time & Travel

The working week for placements in Argentina ranges between 15 and 36 hours. Weekends are usually free. In your free time, explore Argentina’s rich and intoxicating cultural diversity. Part Latin American, part European, discover the country’s melting pot of cultural roots not only in cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, but also in other fascinating cities such as Córdoba, Mendoza and Bariloche.

Must-see Argentinian natural wonders include the unforgettable Iguazú falls, Patagonia’s Perito Moreno Glacier and awe-inspiring Andean peaks near Mendoza and San Juan that rise 6000m above sea level. Argentina’s cultural diversity is matched by the feast of geographical variety it offers curious travellers: from rich wetlands, glacial lakes and mountains to forests, salt flats and deserts. Animal lovers are also drawn to the country’s nearly 3,000,000km², home to the likes of penguins, flamingos, caimans and capybaras. Many volunteers also make the most of their free time to brush up their language skills by taking Spanish lessons. Given that Argentineans are famously fanatic about football, soaking up the atmosphere at nearby matches can also be a very memorable experience.

Travel

Volunteers meet at weekends and in holidays and generally make the most of their free time to explore Argentina and neighbouring countries. Iguazu Falls on the border with Brazil are spectacular and not to be missed, and neither is the Perito Moreno Glacier in the Parque Nacional de los Glaciares down in Patagonia. In-between are gorgeous colonial cities, buzzing artistic and cultural centres, vast sandy beaches, vineyards, the Lake District, the breath-taking Andes Mountains, gauchos and of course Buenos Aires and the tango.

Dates & Costs

Costs

Lattitude Global Volunteering fee for UK nationals: £2,500 (contact us for fees for other nationalities)

What’s included?

In depth matching process to align your skills and interests with a placement that really suits you

Assigned Volunteer Coordinator to help with all your pre-departure advice and guidance

Links with returned volunteers

Relevant DBS/police check fees

Advice on obtaining a Visa

Pre-departure briefing

Airport pickup on arrival

Accommodation for the duration of stay in Argentina (either with a host family or on placement site)

Food provided by host (may not include every meal, but you will know what to expect before your arrival)

In-country orientation as part of country programme network of international Lattitude volunteers

Day to day support from your placement host and a member of staff as your mentor

24/7 support from Lattitude, including in-country support from local reps and the Lattitude Country Manager

Focus on your personal volunteer learning and development

Returned Volunteer follow up and Debrief Event

Opportunity to join the Lattitude Alumni Association

Certificate of completion and references (on request)

Other costs

£25 application fee

International Flights

Onward travel to placement (if applicable)

Travel insurance

Inoculations (if applicable)

Visa

Pocket Money for weekends/ holidays/post-placement travel

Accommodation and food during holiday periods

Fundraising

As a charity we always recommend our volunteers to fundraise to help meet the costs involved in volunteering overseas. In many ways it is part of the whole experience. For more information and fundraising ideas please click here

Planning your trip

We always recommend applying as early as possible in order to secure your place.

Please note that the application deadline is the last possible time allowed to get an application form in that allows us enough time to match volunteers and begin sorting out visas.

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Placement

Length

Departure

Application Deadline

Status

English Teacher OR School Assistant

4 Months

8th August 2018

1st May 2018

3 Spaces Left

English Teacher OR School Assistant

4 Months

March 2019

1st September 2018

Spaces Available

“ My host family is seriously my family and I feel like I’ve known them for years. My Nan gives me hugs and loves to thumb through the dictionary with me so we can put sketchy Spanglish phrases together.”